Harness with damper for helmets

ABSTRACT

Harness with damper for helmets. This harness ( 2 ) may have one or more frames ( 2   a )( 2   b ) and has a damping means ( 3 ) which damping walls ( 3   a ) are able to absorb impacts affecting the walls ( 1   a ) of the application helmet ( 1 ). In case a very strong impact passes through, sinks, warps or has strong incidence on the walls ( 1   a ) of the helmet ( 1 ), the damping walls ( 3   a ) are prepared for progressive warping that manages to damp the impact of any blow.

This application claims the benefit of earlier filed Argentine Patent Application Serial No. P20080100744 filed on Feb. 22, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to the safety and head protection field. More particularly, it consists of a harness with damper for helmets, which allows damping the impact of blows received through the walls of the application helmet.

BACKGROUND Prior Art

Up to now, different types of harnesses are known, which mounted on the lower part or the helmet placement cavity, allow decreasing the effects of the impacts on the walls of said helmet.

These conventional harnesses are those around the user's head so that, in general, the helmet is placed although having a certain separation of the head on which it keeps suspended.

When an impact occurs on the helmet outer walls, an elongation or stretching of the harness occurs, which, to a certain extent, damps the direct effect of the impact on the user's head.

Besides the fact that this conventional system relatively protects against impacts, it has the disadvantage that, in high temperature environments, the resistance of the harness walls is less and the risks of injuries are higher. To this, it may be added the eventual negative effect that said environment might have on the harness itself.

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a harness that allows absorbing the impacts of very strong blows or that may affect the application helmet walls, adequately protecting the user's head.

An advantage of the present harness is that, to the traditional elongation or stretching, it adds the capacity of absorption of impacts improving the user's protection.

Another advantage is that, in high temperature environments where the helmet walls can have their resistance capacity reduced, it keeps the capacity of absorbing impacts and, consequently, the head's protection.

In relation to the above mentioned, this capacity of absorption of impacts allows diminishing the thickness of the helmet outer walls without this affecting protection. In this manner, a reduction of the helmet weight and a lower production cost can be obtained.

Another advantage is that, in any of its embodiments, the present harness may be produced at a very low cost, without the great improvement provided having a negative incidence on the cost of the product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which the harness is seen into a helmet, which partial section allows observing the damper mounted on the lower frame.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the damping means in an embodiment comprising a cavity with a cover.

FIG. 3 is a transverse section of the damping means of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the damping means of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 comprises drawings A and B, wherein:

-   -   Drawing A, a side elevation view of the damper in an embodiment         that has an open cavity; and     -   Drawing B is a transverse section of the damper of drawing A.

FIG. 6 comprises drawings A and B, wherein:

-   -   Drawing A, a side elevation view of the damper in an embodiment         having a closed cavity; and     -   Drawing B is a transverse section of the damper of drawing A.

FIG. 7 comprises drawings A and B, wherein:

-   -   Drawing A, a side elevation view of the damper in an embodiment         in which it has a closed cavity and is mounted in the harness         two frames (lower and upper); and     -   Drawing B is a transverse section of the damper of drawing A.

FIG. 8 comprises drawings A and B, wherein:

-   -   Drawing A, a side elevation view of the damper in an embodiment         in which it is mounted on the two frames and has inner         partitions or cavities; and     -   Drawing B is a transverse section of the damper of drawing A.

FIG. 9 comprises drawings A and B, wherein:

-   -   Drawing A, a side elevation view of the damper in an embodiment         in which it is mounted in one of the frames and has inner         partitions or cavities; and     -   Drawing B is a transverse section of the damper of drawing A.

FIG. 10 comprises drawings A and B, wherein:

-   -   Drawing A, a side elevation view of the damper in an embodiment         having two parts: one in the lower frame and the other in the         upper frame. One part passes through the other; and     -   Drawing B is a transverse section of the damper of drawing A.

FIG. 11 comprises drawings A, B, C and D, the latter being corresponding upper views in which some of the different embodiments that may present the damper walls are shown.

In the different figures, the same numbers and/or reference letters indicate equal or corresponding parts.

LIST OF THE MAIN REFERENCES

-   -   (1) Helmet.     -   (1 a) Helmet walls (1)     -   (2) Harness.     -   (2 a) Harness lower frame (2).     -   (2 b) Harness upper frame (2).     -   (3) Damping means.     -   (3 a) Damping walls of the camping means (3).     -   (3 b) Cover.     -   (3 c) Cavity.     -   (3 d) Inner walls of the camping means (3).     -   (4) Separation flanges.     -   (5) Fixing members or arms [to relate the damping means (3) and         the frames (2 a)(2 b)].     -   (5 a) Fixation connection [in the free ends of the fixation         members (5)]     -   (6) Mounting anchorages of the harness (2) in the helmet (1).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In general terms, the present invention consists of a harness with damper for helmets which comprises a damping means (3) whose damping walls (3 a) are capable of absorbing impacts that affect the walls (1 a) of the application helmet (1).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

More particularly, the present harness (2) is arranged into the inner cavity of a helmet (I) for head protection, to which walls (1 a) it relates, for example, by means of a set of anchorages (6). In this manner, when the helmet (1) is placed on the user's head, the harness (2) keeps it suspended with a certain separation from the head.

The harness (2) may comprise one or more frames (2 a)(2 b). In the case that comprises two frames (2 a)(2 b), the lower frame (2 a) is that which places directly on the user's head whereas the upper frame (2 b) is that adjacent to the walls (1 a) of the helmet (1).

The damping means (3) comprises some damping walls (3 a) able to absorb any impact that has a strong incidence on the walls (1 a) of the helmet (1). These damping walls (3 a) may have the same thickness all along, have an increasing thickness from the rim to the base, etc. It has also been provided that the damping means (3) has one or more separation flanges (4) that keep it separate from the user's head.

Regarding its relation with the frame (2 a)(2 b), the damping means (3) may be joined to it, conformed to it or well connected by means of fixation means (5). The latter (5) project from the body of the damping means (3) and are provided with fixing connections (5 a) through which they connect to the frame (2 a)(2 b).

On the other hand, the harness (2) may be single with only one frame (2 a) or (2 b) multiple with two or more frames (2 a)(2 b). In the case of the single frame, the damping means (3) preferably stands up from the latter facing the zenithal part of the helmet cavity (1).

In the case of a double frame, the damping means (3) may be situated in the lower frame (2 a), in the upper frame (2 b), related to both frames (2 a)(2 b) or a set of damping means (3) may be arranged—or a two part damping means (3)—one for each frame (2 a)(2 b).

In different embodiments, the damping means (3) may be solid, comprise an open cavity 3 c), a closed cavity (3 c), a cavity (3 c) provided with a closing cover (3 b), two or more inner cavities (3 c), two or more inner partitions or walls (3 d). In the variant with closing cover (3 b), the latter may have a tampered encasement, have a convex outer shape, comprise a hermetic seal with the rims of the damping walls (3 a), etc.

In the case of a set of damping means (3) or two part damping means (3), arranged one on each frame (2 a)(2 b), a variant—as may be appreciated in FIG. 10—consists of one part passing through the other.

In the different embodiments, the damping means (3) may be structured with plastic material, combinations, compounds, mixtures or assemblies of other materials, as far as they are fit for the effect looked for.

There have also been provided other embodiments in which the harness (2) is formed by only one piece. In one of these embodiments, besides being formed by only one piece, the harness (2) is conformed and so, both frames (2 a)(2 b) and their components present the necessary curvatures for their adaptation and placement within the helmet. (1).

Operation:

In the case a very strong impact passes through, sinks, warps or has a strong incidence on the walls (1 a) of the helmet (1), the damping walls (3 a) are prepared for progressive warping that manages to damp the impact of any blow going through said walls (1 a).

In the case the damping means (3) comprises one or more closed cavities (3 c), the air contained jointly cooperates with damping.

Undoubtedly, upon putting the present invention into practice, modifications may be introduced regarding certain construction details and form, without leaving the essential principles that are clearly explained in the claims below: 

1. Harness with damper for helmets, which, having single or double frame, is applicable to the lower part of any head protection helmet by means of anchorages so that, placed on the user's head, keeps said helmet separate from said head, said harness comprising, at least, a damping means able to absorb shocks.
 2. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, wherein the damping means are arranged on the upper frame.
 3. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, wherein the damping means are arranged in the lower frame.
 4. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, wherein the damping means is arranged related to both frames.
 5. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, wherein the damping means comprises members provided with connection means with the frame(s).
 6. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, wherein the damping means comprises walls oriented in such a manner that they are able to damp blows that pass through or warp the walls of the helmet.
 7. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises an open cavity.
 8. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises a cavity provided with a closing cover.
 9. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises a closed cavity.
 10. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises inner cavities.
 11. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises inner partings.
 12. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises a set of damping means.
 13. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises a cavity provided with a closing cover with tapered encasement.
 14. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises a cavity provided with a closing cover externally convex.
 15. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises a cavity provided with a closing cover, which faces some wall rims with which it forms a hermetic closure.
 16. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, wherein the walls have an increasing thickness from the rim towards the base.
 17. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, which comprises, at least, a separation flange between the damper and the user's head.
 18. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, wherein it is comprised by a single piece.
 19. Harness with damper for helmets, according claim 1, wherein it is comprised by a single conformed piece. 